Friday, March 9, 2012

Chaos Theory applied to everyday Life, or...

Why the Universe is only happy when everything happens at once, just because it has experienced a Big Bang…

Sometimes you just want to hide in a cup...

It was all going too smoothly in the mind of the Universe, I mean , just an extremely painful leg that begged to be bitten off just above the knee that keeps dislocating by a humungous shark was obviously not enough. No, it added a nice little rollercoaster of disaster to it by totally obliterating our phoneline and internet , thereby making any form of communication impossible. Not for an hour, not for a day or even two days but for 4 days ! I could have just taken a holiday , which would have probably done my crook knee a world of good, but being the total conscientious work a holic I am with so many shows coming up and so many things to organise , that was just not going to happen. Yes, I am a sucker for punishment and I am sure the Universe saw me as a very easy target or better still, maybe just wanted to slow me down by pulling the phoneline out from under me. The Universe should have known better…lol…the more adversity it throws at me , the more I try to fight it. Call me stubborn. So this week I have been doing a lot of driving to get communication happening and organising things that couldn’t wait: like the newspaper article and photoshoot that would be taking place on Thursday. This was only sprung on me on Wednesday and since the Newspaper the Sunday Telegraph in Sydney was certain that fluffy bunnies alone weren’t enough cute factor, I had to find a way to adopt some cute kids for the photoshoot as well. Try doing that without phone, internet and with no visible links to any kind of kid resources that mothers take for granted. I mean it’s not easy when you are childless against your will, to magically make kids appear. Believe me, I tried for years. In the end , I was begging mums I saw at the local library if I could have their kids (I ofcourse added the fact that it was for a photoshoot and that I was not impersonating John Belushi in the Blues Brothers movie in that scene at the fancy restaurant shouting “I wanna buy your kids !”while throwing food at his brother).In the end I went home that Wednesday afternoon, cut off from the world again, not knowing if the photographer would show up, if there would be one kid or a 100 knocking at my door…Chaos rules !Anyway, Thursday morning was hectic trying to get everything ready and finding a suitable fluffy bunny, which was another problem I was facing, because all the fluffy bunnies had received their haircut. Well all except little Angel and Sweetie Pie, but they had never been clipped before and with their baby fluff and teenage hair coming through AND being so playful together , they might not be having such a good hairday….Wednesday night Angel was still looking okay, but Thursday morning was total disaster! Her bum had two huge matts that looked like little ping pong balls on it and there w2as absolutely no way in the world I could comb that out..i tried….i failed..I started cutting it out and then realised she would look like a little monkey with a bare bottom…oh well, her face looked great, I could comb things over….frontal photo shoot would be fine…sigh..then at 9am a family knocked on the front door..we are here for the photoshoot, and then later on , another and another and another….all this time hopping up and down the hill with bunnies in one hand and trying to keep it all together with the other..lol then the photographer came and wanted to shoot in the back paddock…great , down the ountain we go again with all the props, the bunnies, the kids, the mums and my crook knee…”can you put the bunny down in the paddock and make it stand up?” ..eh….it’s not a trained circus animal and …eh…it will run into the bush in 5 seconds flat. But if you want we can try and you can chase it into the leech infested bush? Oh it was too funny.. In the end, all went well, I hope coz I haven’t seen the photos yet..lol- The kids were doing great and I want to especially thank Mum Verity with her super cute Indigo and baby, ofcourse my friend Mum Veronica with her totally gorgeous Emily and Tabatha and Mum Georgia with her baby. Thank you for helping me out on that chaotic day and yes, I STILL WANNA BUY YOUR BABIES…;) just kidding…anyway, through all this adversity and chaos and whatever that was thrown in this weeks soup, it was a great day and good to meet such wonderful people.At the same time that the photoshoot and all the chaos was taking place the Telstra guy showed up , climbed up a pole apparently and then dug up some cable and shouted that it was all fixed to all of us in the back paddock…when I finally got back in the house , I was too buggered to attach the internet and I though “well, its fixed now, time for a cuppa ! internet can wait for a wee while” …..I don’t think life will ever be boring , it’s probably in my genes…lol

Oh if you want to see what was going on at the IxCHeL farm with the photoshoot I have heard it is going to be in this weeks Sunday Telegraph…fingers crossed they photoshopped Angel’ s Bare bum and my double chin….rofl

How To Order:You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or message me on facebook or ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny. I will email you right back with all your order details and payment methods. Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed top/roving per month to the value of AU$20 , and as all of you past members know you get tops that are usually around $24 ! so it is a great deal!All the tops will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel Fibre Club ! Price to join the Ixchel Fibre Club #13 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months is AU$60 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND double and triple serves are available !!! So in short:For Australia :single serve $60+$18 postage (parcel post)double serve $120+$24triple serve $160+$33For USA + Canada:single serve AU$60+AU$35 (Airmail)double serve AU$120+AU$60For UK,Europe, rest of the world:Single serve AU$60+AU$38 (airmail)Double serve AU$120+AU$58For Asia:Single serve AU$60+AU$28 (airmail)Double serve AU$120+AU$39If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #13 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for fibre club #13 is end of March! And the first installment is going to be shipped out end of April:)Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))

IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt ClubHere are all the details and just pm me when you have any questions or want to be part of the funky bunny batt club Movement ;-) Welcome to the blingy dark side ;-DThe subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed funky bunny batt per month to the value of AU$32 or more . The batts will range in weight from 100grams to 150grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even Yak this time !All the batts will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel funky bunny Club ! Every month you will receive a HUGE luxury funky bunny batt !Sign up now and you will receive an Ixchel Hand dyed , super luxurious funky bunny batt for April, May and June 2012 !Price to join the Ixchel Funky bunny #13 :)) for three months is :For Australia : $96+$18 postage (parcel post)For USA + Canada: AU$96+AU$35 (Airmail)For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$96+AU$38 (airmail)For Asia: AU$96+AU$28 (airmail)If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY Batt CLUB#13 now.Numbers are strictly limited !Deadline for signing up for the funky bunny batt club #12 is December 31st! And the first installment is going to be shipped out end of January 2012:)Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me

IxCHeL Yarn Club

What is the deal? hmmm it is sooo good and fun and sockaliscious you just will HAVE to join :)Here are the details:Every month for three months (april-may and june 2012) you will receive:enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks; (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sockweight yarn or a 3ply or a 4 ply);Every month a new sock pattern, tips and instructions ! Now is that GOOD or is that GOOD ??! :)I will even offer a double serve for those of you who like their socks extra long :)Here is the nitty gritty:For Australia : single serve $78+$18 postage (parcel post)double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +$24For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$35 (Airmail)double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$49For UK,Europe, rest of the world:Single serve AU$78+AU$38 (airmail)Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$57For Asia: Single serve AU$78+AU$28 (airmail)Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$42Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB! is end of March.Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))By the way: you don’t HAVE to knit socks if you don’t want to.. the hand dyed yarn is amazingly nice for scarves, cowls, beanies and even tops ! Anything goes :)

IxCHeL Mini skein ClubEvery month I will be offering a monthly exclusive IxCHeL mini skein selection for Club members. In that monthly selection there are 10 hand dyed miniskeins that are hand dyed and or hand spun not available anywhere else and awesome to add to your mini skein projects. Once the Monthly mini skein collecction is announced anybody can order as many as there are available and they will receive a nice colourful pack of FOURTEEN miniskeins for $23+post. That is 14 miniskeins for the price of 10 ! Now how can you say no to that??Here are all the details for the sign ups for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club:Here is the nitty gritty:For Australia : single serve $69+$18 postage (parcel post)double serve $130 (=even a better deal!) +$24For USA + Canada: single serve AU$69+AU$35 (Airmail)double serve $130 (even a better deal!) +AU$49For UK,Europe, rest of the world:Single serve AU$69+AU$38 (airmail)Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$57For Asia: Single serve AU$69+AU$28 (airmail)Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$42Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club is end of March.Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))

Wokshops in May and June :

MAY Classes

Beginner Spinner classes Tuesday May 8th, 15th and 22nd 10am-4pm $150Learn how to spin in a day ! You will receive a bag filled with fluffy goodies to learn with and the use of a wheel! Different types of fibres will be covered from merino, to Shetland, to rare sheep breeds , angora , mohair, yak and alpaca !Enjoy the relaxing environment of our little fibre farm and cuddle a bunny on your breaks from spinning. Lunch and drinks provided. Brochures on techniques etc will be handed out as well. Limited places available !

Art Yarns Saturday May 26th and Tuesday May 29th 10am-4pm $150Make art yarns, dive into the world of creative yarns! Learn how to make the nip n tuck, coils, slubs, core spinning and adding fancy extras!Lunch and drinks provided. Bring your own fluff or additions or dive into our shop to get your supply. Every student will receive a bag of surprise goodies to work with as well.

JUNE CLASSESWire Core Spinning Saturday June 2nd 10am-4pm $150Learn how to use jewellery wire in your spinning to make fibre sculptures , baskets, wearable art and more. !Its an amazingly nice way to make adventurous, multi functional yarn !Handouts , lunch and drinks will be provided a dn a bag of goodies, wire core and fluff to play with !

Plying Adventures Tuesday June 5th 10-3pm $100Learn how to ply a balanced yarn, Navajo ply, flower power ply or do fancy boucle! Lots of new adventurous yarns !Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.

Tailspinning yarn Saturday 9th of June 10am-4pm $150Learn the spinning technique in a day. You can create your own tailspun super soft mohair curls (fibre provided!) or even angora ! anything goes! It’s exciting to create yarn like this ! aand now is your chance to learn!Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.

Flower Power Art Yarns and Fancy Additions Tuesday June 19th 10-4pm $150Learn how to make art yarns with your handspun that look like little flowers or beehives ! and how to add little bits and pieces, feathers, bling and more to your yarn to make it extra special !Your imagination is the limit !Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.

To reserve a spot in any of these classes, email me or message me on Ravelry. I will send you all the details. It’s going to be FUN !

Dates to Remember:Bunny Spin in at the Ixchel Fibre Farm (11am-4pm)Every Third Saturday and every fourth Thursday of the month!

Saturday March 17th, 11am-4pmBring a plate to share your wheel or spindle, knitting or crochet, yourself and a smile and have a fun day out amongst bunnies and friends ! Please contact me to secure a spot ! Bunny food like cabbage, bok choi or broccoli is always welcome as well ! : the bunnies will cuddle you more for it ;D

Thursday March 22nd, 11am – 4pm

April 9th, Sydney Royal ShowTHE Angora Bunny Event of the year!!Back to Back Bunny World RecordJoin the fun and what better way to do it than visit all the Easter bunnies at the Royal Easter Show! Promoting the angora rabbits in Australia for the very first time ! and how ! More information on the Royal Sydney show website !

April 16thFlower Power Spin inGrand Valley Spinner & WeaversTapscott-Milbourne centre, Cambridge road, Motrose (melways ref 52 C5)10am-4pmIt is going to be heaps of fun with lots of new fibres and yarns !!! and lot sof spinning

April 28thMini Wool Show of the Hand knitters GuildTime and place to be confirmed later.I am preparing heaps of new yarns for that event that will be amazing !!!!!

The Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show 2012Friday 20th-Sunday 22nd of JulyI will be in the Flower (bunny) shed again this year with heaps of new fluffy stuff and in full bunny regaliaThis year it is even going to BIGGER and more HUGE than ever !!!Join me in the fun !The woolcraft schedule is published and the IxCHeL Fibre farm is sponsoring a catergory this year in the handspun yarn classes in Natural Animal Fibres class 23 and 24 !!! We feel it is very important to get the word out . Angora fibre and cashmere and mohair and alpaca and baby camel is amazing to spin, felt, weave, embellish and crochet with! Start planning and working on your entry for the show and get your art work out there for everybody tot admire and win prizes !! yeah ! What could be better eh?Check out the website here for more details : www.sheepshow.com and for questions relating to the woolcraft schedule and ore contact Dot Vallence at Dotv5 at optusnet dot com dot au

Contact me on Ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny, message me on facebook or email me on Ixchelbunny@yahoo.com.au or ixchel@rabbit.com.au

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Ixchel is an Australian Fibre Farm in the Yarra Valley in Victoria, breeding their own fluffy animals pesticide free and organic. Charly McCafferty (Ixchel Bunny) does all the spinning, dyeing, knitting and weaving and loving every second of it: Angora Rabbit, Cashmere, Mohair, Merino, Alpaca, Camel or even Yak.Paul McCafferty is constantly juggling work on the fibre farm and is the brain behind making all the animal housing and organising the farm harmoneously.
Email:Ixchel@rabbit.com.au

About Me

Email: ixchelbunny@yahoo.com.au
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Born in the Netherlands, part Dutch and Native American, brought up in Europe, Canada ,the States and Latin America and now living in Australia, I see myself as a world citizen enjoying every moment that this life is giving me. Having such a diverse background I feel very priviledged on how it makes my art (be it paintings or wearable art) so universal and yet so special.